Best Campgrounds near Pine City, MN

The St. Croix River valley shapes the camping landscape around Pine City, Minnesota, with options ranging from developed state parks to rustic river sites. Snake River County Park Campground sits directly in Pine City, offering basic amenities for tent and RV campers from May through November. Within a 30-minute drive, Wild River State Park provides year-round camping with boat-in, drive-in, and hike-in access, while Pokegama Lake RV Park combines camping with golf course access from May to October. The region also includes several state forest campgrounds and dispersed sites along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, which forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, creating a diverse mix of public and private camping opportunities.

Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this area. Summer weekends often require reservations weeks in advance, particularly at popular state parks like Banning State Park, located about 30 minutes north of Pine City. As one camper noted, "We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive-in campsite over Labor Day weekend. The park was great, but we booked late and it was one of only two sites left." Spring and fall typically offer more availability and fewer insects, though temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. Cell service varies widely throughout the region, with many forest and riverside sites having minimal coverage. Winter camping is available at select locations like Wild River State Park, but requires proper cold-weather gear and often four-wheel drive for access.

River access represents a defining feature of many campgrounds in the area. The St. Croix and its tributaries provide opportunities for paddling, fishing, and swimming, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. According to one visitor at Banning State Park, "This is a beautiful state park along the Kettle River, famous for its rock formations, the whitewater Kettle River, and beautiful oak-ash forests." Wildlife viewing is common, with white-tailed deer, various bird species, and occasional wolf sightings reported by campers. Insect activity can be intense during summer months, with mosquitoes, ticks, and poison ivy presenting challenges, especially in lowland areas. Campers frequently mention the privacy of sites varies significantly, with state park campgrounds generally offering more buffer space between sites than private RV parks.

Best Camping Sites Near Pine City, Minnesota (165)

    1. Wild River State Park Campground

    44 Reviews
    Taylors Falls, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 583-2125

    $35 / night

    "Stayed for two nights at a drive-in double site here and found it ideal for autumn camping."

    "We stayed in campsite 29 in the drive in campsite over Labor Day weekend."

    2. The Jubilee Homestead

    8 Reviews
    Cambridge, MN
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 515-0557

    $35 - $100 / night

    "We decided to try out our new tow vehicle by going somewhere close to home. We found Jubilee and we’re we pleasantly surprised! We happened to be the only one there that weekend late in the summer."

    "In the morning, we walked around briefly to say hello to the goats and chickens and to pick a few apples."

    3. Banning State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Sandstone, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 245-2668

    $24 - $34 / night

    "Bawning park is a walk through the history of the area the self guided tour is both informative and entertaining and the hike along the river is one to remember featuring the only class 5 rapids in Minnesota"

    "There are miles of trails to hike, including along the river and to a waterfall, all kinds of paddling and rafting possibilities(bring your own, or join a trip sponsored by a local outfitter), or go bouldering"

    4. Snake River County Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Grantsburg, WI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 583-2125

    $17 / night

    "Just a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River. Camp grounds have restrooms, water (have to boil or purify it) Camp ground manager comes around and has firewood for sale."

    "State Forest Campground with some sites close to the shoreline of the Snake River. Firewood can be gathered from the forest.  It's a nice small campground, first come first served."

    5. Grand Casino RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Hinckley, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 468-3517

    "We booked our stay at the RV Resort so we wouldn't have to drive two and a half hours back and forth during the two day Grand RockTember Music Festival."

    "Adjacent to a large casino with hotels and restaurants. Less than two miles from I35. Best thing is that when we arrived at our spot, there was a tree that needed trimming."

    6. Pokegama Lake RV Park And Golf

    2 Reviews
    Pine City, MN
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 629-6552

    "They have golf, a pool, lake nearby, and seasonal camping."

    7. St. Croix Family Campground — Governor Knowles State Forest

    3 Reviews
    Grantsburg, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 936-7463

    "This was a very fun trip for us because there was almost nobody else at the campsite that day, there are lots of trails to explore (some down by the river), and the fire watch tower added a little something"

    8. Sandrock Cliffs — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

    3 Reviews
    Grantsburg, WI
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 483-2274

    "You have to walk upstairs to get to it, but there were quite a few campsites as you walk along the hiking trail."

    "Good location"

    9. County Road O Landing Dispersed River Camp — Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

    3 Reviews
    Harris, MN
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 483-2274

    "We arrived in the late afternoon and drove all the way down the road, there are a few spots near the boat ramp and bathroom, but we parked near the trailhead and it was perfect!"

    10. Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park

    10 Reviews
    Danbury, WI
    21 miles
    Website

    "Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent. 

    The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St."

    "This is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park."

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Recent Reviews near Pine City, MN

523 Reviews of 165 Pine City Campgrounds


  • Christine H.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Dago Lake

    God's Country

    Free dispersed camping off Dago Lake Road between Willow River & Sturgeon Lake. Quiet aside from the occasional car. Pitch black at night.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Rum River State Forest

    Free parking in solitude.

    No potable water, grey dump, nor trash cans, but it's rugged wilderness along a gravel road with plenty of space to park.

  • Christine H.
    Sep. 11, 2025

    North Country Campground

    Expensive but nice

    Owners are very nice, greet you upon arrival, very helpful. Bathroom/shower is very nice. Trampoline & playground on site. Close to the highway so a lot of traffic noise until about midnight. People fly down the road even though the speed limit is 20mph. 3 minutes from Willow River, 45 minutes to Cloquet & Pine City.

  • Krista T.
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park

    Nice metro get away

    This is a beautiful park and the campsites for the most part all seem spacious, and the loop we were in (whichever one site 52 is in) all had decent tree cover.

    The bathroom facility has seen better days. The nature center is nice and a great place to spend some time if it is raining during their open hours.

  • Andy L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Ann Lake

    Nice, quiet, rustic

    30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly. Most sites are fairly private and well spaced. Higher elevation sites for air tv reception. 2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites. Pay immediately or the camp host will nag you even if you have to walk to higher elevation to get signal. Very beautiful and lots of deer on the trails.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 14, 2025

    Eagle Point Park

    Quiet lake campground

    I stayed here one night while traveling. The bathrooms seemed fire. I could not find a dumper on site. There is a dump station. Plenty of tent only camping areas. All sites require some leveling. Some of the sites have water hookups. Lots of people use the park during the day. It was very quiet at night.

    There is a coffee shop about a 20 minute walk from the park. There is a public swimming beach less than a 10 minute walk from the park.

    You might be able to get a large rig into the first few spots. But if you try to drive the loop around to the other sites, you might not make it. But I did not have trouble in my 25 foot motor home.

    I had great 5G signals from Verizon and T-mobile here.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Grace Lake Road Dispersed

    Very quit night

    Stayed a night here on our way up to the boundary waters gate is very narrow had to fold the mirrors on my Tacoma to squeeze through but if you park at the entrance it’s a short walk You’re about 20 foot from the water and fishing is good

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Camp Waub-O-Jeeg

    Waub O Jeeg- Tent camping

    Checking was easy with owner on site. A little steep getting up to x Some of the site. Bathroom and shower house were great

  • Laura P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Boulder Woods RV Park

    Mature trees and park like setting

    Boulder Woods is mostly seasonal camping but does have RV sites for overnight and weekly camping. The park is well maintained with power and water at all sites. There is a view of Ann Lake, however, the RV park is not on the banks of the lake and does not have access to the lake.


Guide to Pine City

Camping sites near Pine City, Minnesota feature a mix of river access, state forest, and family-friendly options at elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet above sea level. The area sits at the intersection of Minnesota's coniferous forest and hardwood regions, creating diverse plant and wildlife habitats. Cell service varies widely throughout camping locations, with most state forest sites having minimal to no connectivity.

What to do

Snowshoeing and skiing opportunities: Wild River State Park offers extensive winter recreation with groomed ski trails. "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," notes one visitor to Wild River State Park Campground.

Fire tower views: St. Croix State Park features a 100-foot fire tower you can climb for panoramic views. "The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more," reports a camper at Old Logging Trail.

Historical exploration: Banning State Park provides self-guided tours through the remains of a 130+ year old sandstone quarry. "The hiking here is amazing! The Quarry Loop along the Kettle River has a ton of history, allowing you to explore the remains of the 130+ year old sandstone quarry. Seeing the drill holes in the cliffs was really cool," shares a visitor at Banning State Park Campground.

What campers like

Well-spaced, private sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature natural barriers between campsites. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," notes a visitor at Wild River State Park Campground.

Farm animal interactions: Unique camping experiences include homestead stays with livestock. "We are excited to go back to the Farm! Wonderful atmosphere and if there are any hiccups the hosts are super reasonable and kind, great communication. All animals who were out and about were friendly," explains a visitor at The Jubilee Homestead.

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local animals. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports a camper who stayed at Old Logging Trail within St. Croix State Park.

What you should know

Mosquito intensity: Insects can be particularly problematic during summer months, especially near water. "Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster," cautions a visitor at Old Logging Trail.

Water access: The Snake River offers recreational opportunities but water levels fluctuate seasonally. "Beautiful site, wish the river was higher for fishing. Just a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River," notes a visitor at Snake River County Park Campground.

Self-service campgrounds: Some locations have minimal staffing. "This is a pretty nice little self service first come first served campground on the edge of Chengwatana State Forest. Clean toilets and nice shady spots, most of which are quite private," explains a camper who stayed at Snake River County Park.

Tips for camping with families

Raspberry picking: Seasonal berry picking adds a fun activity for kids. "Beautiful site, wish the river was higher for fishing. Just a mile or so walk to the Saint Croix River. Camp grounds have restrooms, water (have to boil or purify it) Camp ground manager comes around and has firewood for sale. Raspberries everywhere!!" shares a visitor at Snake River County Park Campground.

Farm-to-table experiences: Some sites offer fresh produce and educational opportunities. "In the morning we were able to go and pick some berries, grapes, apples and an egg that was hatched and went down to the market they gathered and cut up some fresh tomatoes and had a great breakfast off the land itself," reports a family who visited The Jubilee Homestead.

Bring downloaded entertainment: Limited connectivity means planning ahead for entertainment. "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time!" advises a visitor at Old Logging Trail in St. Croix State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site angles and accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging parking situations. "Back-in site was 90 degrees to the road - if the bathhouse parking lot wasn't across from it, wouldn't have been able to swing in on a 24' travel trailer," warns an RV camper at Grand Casino RV Resort.

Sewer connection design: Pay attention to the elevation of sewer connections. "All of the sewer connections are cut off about 12 inches above the ground. This means that even in a relatively tall fifth wheel, you are going to be trying to make shit filled water flow uphill," explains an RVer who stayed at Grand Casino RV Resort.

Combined recreation options: Some RV parks offer additional amenities beyond camping. "They have golf, a pool, lake nearby, and seasonal camping," mentions a visitor at Pokegama Lake RV Park, making it suitable for families wanting multiple activities without leaving the campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Pine City, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, Pine City, MN offers a wide range of camping options, with 165 campgrounds and RV parks near Pine City, MN and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Pine City, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pine City, MN is Wild River State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Pine City, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Pine City, MN.

What parks are near Pine City, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Pine City, MN that allow camping, notably Saint Croix National Scenic River and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.